On August 28, Israeli forces conducted air strikes in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa, which targeted several high-ranking Houthi officials. It was a success as the Houthi Prime Minister and Defense Minister were eliminated. However, the status of Houthi Military Chief of Staff had been unclear. Ynet reported that the Houthis themselves confirmed that Muhammad Abd al-Karim al-Ghamari has died. And shortly after, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed that the IDF had indeed eliminated him.
The Iran-backed terror group issued a statement today warning that confrontations with Israeli forces are not over. Meanwhile, Yemeni security sources call the confirmed elimination an achievement for Israel, Yemen, and all Arabs as al-Ghamari was a notorious figure who oversaw arms deals, led Houthi operations against Israel after October 7, and contributed to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Houthi-controlled sites in Yemen.
Al-Ghamari had been attacked by Israel on at least two occasions. The Houthis did not specify the circumstances of his death but confirmed he is no longer alive. Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television reported that he was killed in an August 28 airstrike that also killed Houthi Prime Minister Ahmad al-Rahawi and several ministers. It remains unclear whether al-Ghamari died immediately or later of his wounds.
The last statement attributed to al-Ghamari appeared on Sept. 20, in a message of congratulations issued with Yemen’s Houthi defense minister. However, Israeli sources said a month earlier that he was “buried under the rubble” following an airstrike that hit Houthi government offices in Sanaa.
Two days after the August strike, the Houthis’ SABA news agency quoted al-Ghamari as saying that “the escalation against Yemen is not a sign of strength but of failure.” Israeli officials maintained at the time that their assessment of his condition had not changed.
While Israel and her people praise God for the return of the hostages in Gaza and the prospect of peace in the city, we must never forget that the fight against terror is a multi-front war. The Houthis have been launching drones and rockets into Israel since the war began. Through the IDF’s deterrent strikes and the current ceasing of fighting in Gaza, we pray that this conflict comes to an end and shalom, peace, shines on all fronts.